Carol Rae Reineke

Carol Rae Reineke, age 75, of the Town of Belgium passed away peacefully at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice on June 25, 2025, with loved ones at her side. 

Carol, the daughter of Raymond and Emma (nee Zietlow) Reineke, was born and raised in the Wonewoc, Wis., area. 

Treasured as an only child, she held a great love and respect for her parents and especially for her grandma Louise Reineke, with whom she spent much of her younger years so attendance at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Elementary School would be easier.

Carol graduated from Wonewoc-Center High School before continuing her education at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, obtaining an education degree. 

Carol began her teaching career in 1972 in the Cedar Grove-Belgium School District. After leaving her teaching position there, she obtained her master’s degree in rhetoric and later taught classes at UW-West Bend. 

After 18 years of teaching, she picked up her back-up plan, obtaining her real estate license, and spent the next 22 years helping friends, neighbors and the community find their dream homes.

In June 1974, Carol married Edward V. “Duddly” Duddleston. While their marriage did not stand the test of time, their friendship did.

While her home and her dogs were of utmost importance to her, Carol loved interacting with people — those she adored and those she tolerated. She would talk to anyone she came across, and particularly enjoyed the time she spent with her many friends and former students, especially if sharing a Manhattan or glass of wine. 

Carol was passionate about reading, theater, travel and mythology. She enjoyed the local flora and fauna; the fox being a favorite because in German “Reineke” primarily refers to Reynard the Fox, a literary character. 

Carol was a proud lifelong member of the Democratic Party. She supported essential human rights and the humane treatment of animals. Carol was also a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Belgium. 

She had a vibrant and charismatic personality, and while various physical conditions limited her mobility toward the end of her life, she maintained those characteristics, as well as being unyieldingly resolute. Therefore, she persevered.

Those left behind to cherish her memory include her best friends Rita (Harold) Andersen and Edward Duddleston, her close cousins Jean (Wayne) Haut and Bill (Kathy) Zietlow, innumerable beloved friends, other

extended family, former students and clients. 

Carol was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial service will be held at noon Aug. 16, 2025, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 200 Park St., Belgium. Pastor Lewis Polzin will preside. Visitation will take place at the church from 10 a.m. until the service begins at noon. A light luncheon will follow. 

Carol’s final resting place will be with her parents in St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Wonewoc.

Carol maintained a close connection to her hometown community throughout her life. In her passing, she established the Raymond E. and Emma O. Reineke Memorial Scholarship at Wonewoc-Union Center School District. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the above mentioned scholarship fund or to a pet rescue organization in Carol’s name.

Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting with Carol’s arrangements. 

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.